New Music Video From Chris Turner Features Randy Couture And Has A Powerful Message For Vets

Singer and songwriter Chris Turner moved to Nashville nearly a decade ago to pursue a career in music. He’s a South Carolina-native who grew up in a small town called Ninety Six.

“I was born and raised in a little town with two red lights, a Hardees, and a Piggly-Wiggly,” Turner says. “And I always thought there was more to life than just swinging square bales of hay on a flatbed stretch of barbed-wire.”

In 1997, he joined the Marines and spent the next four years serving his country. It was during his time in the military that he learned to play the guitar and start writing songs. And once he got out, he began focusing more on his music.

Since arriving in Nashville, he’s released two albums and more recently, a six-song EP titled American Made. His dedication to the military and those who serve shines in his music and performances on stage.

One song on the new EP has a special meaning when it comes to veterans. It’s a song called “If You Drink” and Turner decided to create a video around it that might help men and women struggling with Post Traumatic Stress. He called on friend and Army veteran Randy Couture to help him make it.

“I heard the song,” Turner says, “and I had this vision for the video one morning while I was running on the treadmill. And I hit Randy up and said, ‘Hey man, this is what I’m thinking.’”

Couture, who served six years in the 101st Airborne during the ‘80s, then went on to become a six-time UFC World Champion and Hall of Famer before retiring and turning his attention to acting, was happy to help.

“Chris and I met each other a few years back and obviously, all guys who serve, have an affinity for each other,” Couture explains. “So, he reached out to me about this video and I said I’d be happy to be in it, but I’d really like to direct it if you’ll let me because I want the experience. And Chris said, okay that’ll work.”

The video tells the story of a veteran, played by Couture, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress.

Mixed Martial Arts icon Randy Couture in a scene from the music video for "If You Drink."

Credit: Pam Windsor

“A lot of guys endure this alone and deal with visions and night terrors,” Couture says. “It’s hard to explain PTSD. I don’t suffer from it, I didn’t see combat. I had a general try to explain it to me and he said, ‘What is a wounded warrior? Some wounds are on the inside, they’re not always easy to see.’”

Turner and Couture shared the same vision throughout the making of the video and came together at John Rich's Redneck Riviera in downtown Nashville for the release party.

Randy Couture and Chris Turner in Nashville for the release of the video "If You Drink."

Credit: Pam Windsor

Couture said they were surprised at the number of things that came together, some completely on their own, to make it work. For example, when they scheduled the weekend shoot, they had no idea the Moving Wall (a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington) would be coming through town. They were able to shoot some compelling scenes in front of it.

The two men are hoping vets who may be struggling will see the video and get the help they need.

“In the military, we’re told to soldier on,” says Couture, “to keep our mouths shut, not to flinch. And that’s great when we have a mission, but when we’re thrown back here in the civilian world, it’s okay to be vulnerable and ask for help.

“To piggyback off of Randy,” Turner adds, “in the army, they’re trained to soldier on. As marines, we’re trained to see the hill, take the hill. You know what I mean? So my thing for anybody out there who is suffering from PTSD is don’t do it by yourself. If you see the hill, take the hill, and deal with the problem.”

The high number of suicides among veterans shows so many are still grappling with unseen scars. And what makes it even more difficult for family members or friends who might want to help, is there are no easily identifiable signs. No two experiences are alike and every vet has his or her own difficult challenges.

“I’ve had my own struggle with PTSD,” says Turner, “I lost one marine when I was in the corps. He left my barracks room and went and took his own life. And for the longest time I was trying to figure out if there is something I could have said or done differently. I didn’t realize PTSD is not only on the battlefield. I guess you could say I had some sort of survivor’s guilt. And for that, every time I take the stage I remember him. His name was Private Sprinkles, and he was from Orangeburg, South Carolina.”

Couture has been working to help and support vets since creating his Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation 11 years ago. The foundation raises money and awareness for those wounded in action, and their families. He also owns two gyms and supports a program called MVP (Merging Vets and Players) that brings veterans and athletes together to show them they’re not alone.

“We open our gyms free to vets and get them back working out,” he says. “There’s a comradery they have, both in the workout and during an hour spent sharing. Leaning on each other, talking to each other, getting back into that squad or platoon where guys support each other when they serve.”

Couture says that’s a message he hopes the video can drive home, that vets can get help from each other.”

“Reach out to your buddies, find guys you served with or others who’ve served. Because they understand, they’ve seen and done the same things we’ve all been a part of. Sometimes we’re our own worst enemy. Find those guys, don’t be afraid to do it.”

Turner, too, hopes the video sends a strong message.He says he’s had a lot of positive response from vets, as well as veterans’ family members who say seeing the video has given them a clearer understanding of the problem.

Turner will soon head out on the road to promote American Made. On May 2nd he’ll be opening for Cody Johnson, then on May 11th head to Las Vegas to do a show for Couture’s 11th annual Ride for the Troops. And on May 16th, he’ll perform for a Red, White, and Boots event in Birmingham, again to raise money for vets.

“I’m a vet at heart,” he says, “and the vets will always be part of my life and what I do in music.”

Guitarist Evan Rogers and Chris Turner during a show at Redneck Riviera in Nashville.